Description
Crocea Clam (Tridacna crocea)
Tridacna crocea remains among the most popular of the giant clams. This beautiful animal has two very different means of obtaining nourishment. Like other bivalve mollusks, it can use its gills to filter-feed phytoplankton/bacterioplankton. However, most of its diet consists of compounds derived from zooxanthellae.
It is sometimes confused with its close cousin T. maxima. When it comes to level of care, this species lists at the top of its genus; like its relatives, it requires intense light and very high water quality.
T. crocea is the smallest of the tridacnid clams; this characteristic alone makes it especially desirable to many aquarists, particularly those with smaller or crowded tanks. Of all the tridacnids, it is perhaps also the most variable in mantle coloration. Blues, greens and golden yellows are common, but it may exhibit almost any color as well as pattern.
These high-grade clams are maricultured by ORA. See below for more information.
Size and Care Requirements:
- Purchase Size: Approximately 2″+ 0.5″ (length)
- Max Size: 15 cm (6″)
- Water Parameters: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.2-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
- Color: Extremely variable, usually some combination of blue, green and/or gold (mantle)
- Reef-Safe: Yes
- Diet: Omnivore. Consumes products released from its symbiont. Also phytoplanktivorous; appreciates regular additions of live phytoplankton.
T. croceaa Species Information
The crocea clam (Tridacna crocea) occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean from Australia to Southern Japan. Unlike some other tridacnid clams (which may live on rock or sand), T. crocea very much prefers a hard, rocky substrate. This species has a higher tendency than its relatives to burrow into the reef rock, secreting acids and repeatedly scraping the substrate with its shell. As it is very dependent upon its endosymbiotic dinoflagellate for survival, it requires very bright, full-spectrum lighting.
Crocea clams are completely reef-safe. These maricultured specimens are a sustainable alternative to wild-caught crocea clams and are relatively hardy. Tridacna crocea cannot be kept safely with certain predatory fishes such as puffers, triggerfish, certain wrasses, etc.
Benefits of Aquacultured Crocea Clams
Captive-bred tridacnid clams provide a major advantage over wild-caught specimens (more resistant to disease, better tolerate handle shipping stress, etc.). And, by purchasing captive-bred livestock, you support marine aquaculture and help make our hobby sustainable!
AlgaeBarn keeps these crocea clams in an invertebrate-specific system to minimize the transfer of fish parasites and other unwanted hitchhikers.
100% Alive on Arrival (AoA) Guarantee
We guarantee that every crocea clam we sell will be Alive On Arrival and in good health. Should any arrive in any other state, we will either replace it free of charge (including shipping). If the total livestock loss is less than $40, we issue store credit. Please also visit our 100% Alive On Arrival Guarantee page for more information!
